One of the most important forms of classical music is without a doubt the sonata. The meaning of the term “sonata”, which is derived from the Italian word “sonare” which means “to sound” or “to play”, has changed considerably over time. Browse our sheet music and scores, grab your all your favourites, and find out more about the sonata here today!
The term “sonata” derives from the second half of the 16th century, and refers to different types of instrumental compositions for two or more instruments. The term came about to distinguish the sonata from solo pieces for keyboard instruments, and from pieces with singing, such as cantatas.
The main difference between the baroque sonata and the classical sonata is the number of movements, the baroque sonata has at least four or more, in which slow and fast tempos alternate regularly. The baroque sonata is divided into two basic types:
Sonata da camera (“Chamber Sonata”) – which has a light dance character and is the predecessor of the baroque dance suite.
Sonata da chiesa (“Church sonata”) – which is usually in four movements and has a more serious character.
Depending on the size of the line-up, Baroque sonatas can be further subdivided into Solo Sonata for one instrument (usually violin) and basso continuo, and Trio Sonata for two solo instruments and basso continuo.
One of the most well-known composers of the Baroque sonata is the Italian composer Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713). Both the Church Sonatas by Corelli and the Chamber Sonatas by Corelli are still very popular with instrumentalists and listeners today.
At the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, the sonata da chiesa gradually evolved into what is known as the Neapolitan overture, where the introductory slow movement has been removed. The result was a three-movement form, with the tempo structure fast-slow-fast within each movement, which became the model not only for the classical sonata, but also for many other musical forms.
The Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) contributed a great deal to the development of the sonata. The Sonatas by Scarlatti were usually composed in the traditional sonata form, a one-movement work with two contrasting themes.
During the Classical period, the sonata continued to develop and evolve. At that time, the term “sonata” was mainly understood to mean Piano Sonatas, or sonatas for another solo instrument with piano accompaniment. In its basic form, a classical sonata consists of three, or occasionally four movements, where the first fast movement is written in ’sonata form’, the second movement is slower, and the third movement is usually fast again, and can take various forms.
In a four-movement sonata, a dance movement in the form of a minuet or a scherzo is usually inserted before the last movement. The greatest exponents of the sonata were arguably three composers of the first Viennese school, Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart " 1972" text="Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven’s most famous sonata is without a doubt the Moonlight Sonata.
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 741233
No. 8 D Minor
for: Alt-Blockflöte (Violine, Flöte) und Basso continuo; Violoncello/Viola da gamba ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 749630
Edited from the Edition Paul Hindemith. Sämtliche Werke by Luitgard Schader
for: Cello, piano
Music score
Item no.: 736780
Nach dem Urtext
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 748905
Contemporary Composers Series
for: Soprano saxophone, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1552667
nach dem Urtext
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 748958
for: Flöte (Violine) und obligates Cembalo (Klavier)
Music score
Item no.: 733703
op. 35
for: Oboe (Flöte) und Klavier
Music score
Item no.: 761247
Edition Schott
for: Violine und Basso continuo (Klavier, Cembalo); Violoncello ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 741562
Edition Schott
for: Flute [oboe/violin], basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 736920
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 1667095
"La Pucelle"
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 747340
for: 2 violins, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 930420
for horn and piano
for: Horn, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 680268
for: Flöte und Klavier (Cembalo)
Music score
Item no.: 754335
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 767202
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1565291
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1565289
for: Trumpet (B-flat), horn (F), trombone, organ
Score
Item no.: 1623946
for: Piano
Single edition
Item no.: 1479654
aus "VI Sonates avec une Ouverture & Suite
Sonate e sinfonie con tromba sola 5a
for: Trumpet in D, organ [piano]
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1351778
for: 2 clarinets
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1054531
for: Percussion ensemble
Buch
Item no.: 1659161
"The Devil's Trill"
for: Violin, piano
Music score
Item no.: 731658
for violoncello and piano by Paul Hindemith. First version 1919
for: Cello, piano
Score, part
Item no.: 756012
from op. 5
for: Treble recorder, piano
Music score
Item no.: 741999
Edited from the text Edition Paul Hindmith. Sämtliche Werke by Luitgard Schader
for: Trombone, piano
Music score
Item no.: 724557
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 930050
Russische Musik der Moderne
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1479716
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1565285
Volume 1: Sonatas 1–3
for: Flute, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1544009
Edition Schott
for: Oboe [flute/violin], basso continuo
Music score
Item no.: 720968
for: Violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 781340
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 930650
Edition Schott
for: Alt-Blockflöte und Basso continuo; Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Music score
Item no.: 749643
Ausgabe in C-Dur (transponiert)
for: Trumpet (C), organ
Organ score, solo part
Item no.: 1672098
(Orgel)
for: Bass trombone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1682088
aus: Musicalische Divertissements, Teil II
for: Flute, violin, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1677012
UELZENER KUHLAU-EDITION 58
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1161303
for: Treble recorder, oboe, basso continuo
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 1015340
for horn and piano
for: Horn, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 680270
Edition Schott
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 759419
Edition Schott
for: Horn (F), piano
Music score
Item no.: 748106
Style, Structure, Performance
for: Violin
Book (Hardcover)
Item no.: 863896
Vol. 1: Sonatas 1–6
Score
Item no.: 1690509
Edition Schott
for: Cello, piano
Music score
Item no.: 727553
for: 2 flutes, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 850626
for: Viola, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 163082
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